Open Air Club

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Open Air Club, or OAC, is the hillwalking club of the University of Liverpool. Like all clubs and societies within the Guild of Students, the club is run by students, for students. The club was formed in 1937.

1 Day Trips and Weekends
2 Socials
3 Membership
4 Committee
5 Official Website

[edit] Day Trips and Weekends

The OAC runs trips to the countryside every weekend - mostly day-trips on a Saturday or Sunday, with several weekend trips, staying in a bunkhouse or campsite. Destinations are typically in the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Peak District and Yorkshire.

The club also runs two trips to the Scottish Highlands each year - a three or four day trip (usually to a campsite) over the May bank holiday, and a week-long holiday over the New Year.

The OAC provide transport from Liverpool to the destination and back, in a hired coach, minibus or cars depending on subscription, and a selection of walks of varying distance and difficulty, depending on ability. Walks are led by trained and experience leaders, who are themselves club members.

With the exception of these two trips during the Easter and New Year holidays, all trips are run during term time.

[edit] Socials

The OAC holds socials each week, primarily on a Tuesday evening. Socials can be anything from a pub crawl through the city centre, or going for a meal, or going to the cinema, to first aid Courses, indoor climbing, ice skating, or a talk from someone connected with the outdoors, eg. a Mountain Rescue Team member.

The OAC holds a formal Annual Dinner around Easter time, shortly after the Annual General Meeting when the new committee has been elected. In 2007 the Annual Dinner was replaced with a Ceilidh to celebrate the club's 70th Anniversary.

[edit] Membership

The OAC is open to non-members, but membership brings benefits such as cheaper walks (at the moment, day-trips for non-members are £13, compared to £10 for members), access to club kit, British Mountaineering Council membership and insurance, discounts from local outdoor shops, and weekly email bulletins of the club's activities.